Thank you to everyone who joined us for the State of Education K-12 Membership Luncheon. We appreciate your support and participation!

Washington Forward is a voter education campaign that helps people understand how rising costs in Washington are connected to increased state spending and what that might mean for the future. The website is designed as a straightforward hub for messaging, brief talking points, and a collection of data points that link to external sources, allowing readers to see where the numbers originate from.


On the site, Washington Forward frames Washington as a long-time leader in innovation and industry, then argues that recent years have brought higher costs and worsening challenges even as state spending has grown. The main navigation is straightforward: “About,” “Where We Stand,” “Data,” and “Stay Informed,” plus a section that highlights campaign videos.


The “Where We Stand” section compiles several headline-style claims, each with links to supporting articles or reports. Examples include Washington’s ranking as a high-cost state, annual grocery spending figures, significant increases in home prices over time, declines in student reading scores, and claims about business failure rates and new business growth compared with other states.


The “Data” section goes a step further by grouping figures into topics that impact daily life and economic conditions: state and local tax burden, food and essential living costs, housing costs, educational outcomes, and childcare expenses. For example, it includes per-capita tax burden, state and local taxes per employee, the portion of total state and local taxes paid by businesses, restaurant price comparisons, housing affordability metrics (including costs associated with regulations), NAEP proficiency trend snapshots, and an estimate of the average yearly childcare cost for two young children.


For businesses, the main takeaway is that the website’s content focuses on affordability pressures that often directly impact hiring, retention, and operating costs. When housing, food, and childcare costs increase, employers frequently face greater wage pressures simply to help workers keep pace, which can be especially challenging for small businesses with thin margins. Education outcomes also matter because employers depend on a consistent pipeline of workers with solid basic skills. Two practical examples include: a hospitality business using the site’s restaurant price data and cost-of-living framing to explain why labor costs and consumer price sensitivity are rising simultaneously; and a manufacturer looking to expand could reference housing and childcare cost figures as part of a broader discussion with local and state leaders about workforce availability.
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Overall, Washington Forward’s website is designed as an accessible entry point into an affordability narrative, supported by a curated selection of statistics and links for readers who want to explore further. It clearly states that Washington Forward is sponsored by the Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy (WashACE), and the support page mentions that donations are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. If you use the site in business communications, it functions best as a starting set of talking points, with the linked sources serving as the place to verify details and add local context.
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​Washington’s housing shortage is making life harder for families and employers who depend on a stable workforce. SB 5496 is one proposal designed to help by restricting the role of large investment players in the single-family home market. The main idea is that if big investors buy fewer homes, more homes could be available for people wanting to buy and live in them. This goal is understandable, especially for first-time buyers. However, the key question is whether this approach really makes housing more affordable over time.


SB 5496 would restrict some organizations from purchasing single-family homes. Essentially, the bill aims to limit purchases by large investment groups and establish rules to prevent entities from buying when they already own a significant number of single-family properties. It also includes exceptions, such as certain nonprofit housing providers and situations related to construction or repairs. If a covered entity violates the rules, the bill permits enforcement actions and financial penalties.


Even if SB 5496 changes who can buy certain homes, it does not directly result in new construction. Most housing experts agree that prices are driven by supply and demand. When there aren't enough homes for the number of people who need them, prices and rents go up. Reports focused on Washington also highlight slow permitting, high building costs, and local regulations that make it harder to add housing where people want to live.


This matters for businesses and the community because housing affects jobs, growth, and daily life. When workers cannot find affordable housing, employers struggle to hire and retain staff. Families may move farther away, increasing commuting times and transportation costs. Research also shows that the impacts of large investors can vary by location, and evidence is not always consistent across studies. That is why Washington should focus on what clearly helps most: increasing the number of available homes. A practical plan includes steps like faster permitting, more housing options at different price points, and fewer delays that raise construction costs.
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Ultimately, Washington cannot resolve its housing shortage by redistributing the same limited supply of homes among various buyers. While SB 5496 may tackle immediate market issues, the genuine, lasting solution is to construct enough housing to satisfy demand. To enhance affordability for renters and future homeowners, lawmakers should focus on increasing supply while ensuring policies remain transparent, equitable, and practical for communities and the local economy.

References
1.Washington State Legislature. SB 5496 Bill Summary (2025–26).
2.Washington State Legislature. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5496 (bill text PDF).
3.Office of Financial Management (WA). Strategic Priorities, Proposed 2025–27 Budget Highlights (housing need estimates).
4.Up for Growth. Housing Underproduction in Washington State (report on supply barriers and impacts).
5.U.S. Government Accountability Office. GAO-24-106643: Rental Housing, Information on Institutional Investment in Single-Family Homes (May 2024).
6.Urban Institute. Institutional Owners in Single-Family Rental Properties (Aug. 22, 2023).

• This article was written with contributions from AI to organize the information and improve its readability.​

Thank you to everyone who joined the Tri-Cities Legislative Council for Tri-Cities Day at the Capitol and helped present a unified voice on issues impacting our region’s economy and quality of life. We appreciate all who engaged with legislators, shared priorities, and strengthened connections with state leaders and the business community.

Healthy growth involves more than new buildings or attracting residents; it’s about sustaining a community where businesses can thrive and individuals can build stable lives. That's why the Tri-City Regional Chamber supports sustainable, economically strong development through public-private partnerships. When government, businesses, and community groups collaborate, we can encourage development that is predictable, fair, and cost-effective.


For businesses, consistent development is key, as uncertainty raises expenses. Delays caused by slow permitting, unexpected rule changes, or sudden fee hikes can postpone projects and raise prices. This results in slower growth, fewer new jobs, and increased costs for customers. Public-private partnerships can address these problems more quickly by pooling diverse ideas and resources, and by making sure policies are practical and effective.


This guiding principle is closely tied to workforce needs. Regional employers compete for skilled workers, and housing costs greatly influence whether people relocate or stay. When housing options are scarce or expensive, workers may need to live further away, face longer commutes or leave the area. Providing affordable housing and thoughtful community planning can attract and keep talent, facilitate job mobility, and help employers fill vacancies more easily.


The Chamber applies this principle as a filter in evaluating public policy. When assessing a proposal, we consider practical questions: Will it enhance affordable housing options, or hinder development? Does it encourage fair, cost-effective growth, or create delays and added costs that stall projects? Does it support public-private partnerships and collaboration, or promote a one-size-fits-all approach that ignores local realities? We also assess whether the policy addresses current workforce needs and supports future expansion.


Ultimately, this guiding principle emphasizes maintaining balanced and realistic growth. The Tri-Cities require housing, infrastructure, and a robust workforce pipeline to support both employers and families. By fostering partnerships, ensuring predictable development, and promoting affordable housing for working residents, the Chamber can advocate for policies that bolster the local economy and protect long-term opportunities for the whole region.
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The Legislative Information Center (LIC) is Washington’s front door to the lawmaking process. It brings together bill tracking, committee schedules, ways to participate, and research tools so residents and businesses can follow the issues that matter to them. LIC’s mission is simple and public-facing: provide courteous, accurate, and timely information about the Legislature and how it works, including direct help by phone and email. If you are not sure where to start, LIC staff will point you in the right direction.
The website centers around easy-to-use tools for following legislation in real time. From the Bills, Meetings, and Session hub, you can search for bills in various ways. Afterward, you can use the Selected Bill Tracking app to create a personalized watch list.
You can give input on bills to your legislators and learn how to testify during committee hearings. This can be done in person or remotely. For meeting details, check the Committee Schedules page for agendas, documents, and video links.
Key links:

• Bills, Meetings, and Session hub (https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/),
• Selected Bill Tracking (https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/bills/how-to-track-a-bill/ → “Go to Selected Bill Tracking”),
• Comment on a Bill (https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/bills/how-to-comment-on-a-bill/),
• Testify at a Committee Meeting (https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/session/how-to-testify-at-a-committee-meeting/),
• Committee Schedules (https://app.leg.wa.gov/committeeschedules/).

LIC also helps you connect with lawmakers. Use the District Finder to see which legislative district you live in. Next, open the Legislator Directories for contact details and biographies. If you want to send a message, a step-by-step guide explains how to contact your representatives. For general questions or quick outreach, call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000. Interpreter services are available, and staff can forward messages or help with documents and meeting times.
Key Links:

• District Finder (https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder),
• Legislator Directories (https://leg.wa.gov/legislators/legislator-directories/),
• How to Send a Message (https://leg.wa.gov/legislators/how-to-send-a-message-to-a-legislator/), Hotline info (https://leg.wa.gov/help).

For background research, the site gathers official records and explains topics in plain language. You can explore the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), review the State Constitution, and consult a legislative glossary.
The Session Documents area offers legislative manuals, daily floor journals, and roll call transcripts that show how members voted. You can also browse Legislative Facts and Bill Data for session activity charts, view online rosters, and sign up for email updates.

Key links:

• RCW (https://leg.wa.gov/state-laws-and-rules/state-laws-rcw/),
• WAC (https://leg.wa.gov/state-laws-and-rules/state-rules-wac/),
• Glossary (https://leg.wa.gov/learn-and-participate/glossary/),
• Legislative Manuals (https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/session/session-documents/legislative-manuals/),
• Floor Journals (https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/session/session-documents/floor-journals/),
• Roll Call Transcripts (https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/session/session-documents/roll-call-transcripts/),
• Legislative Facts and Bill Data (https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/bills/data-and-statistics/legislative-facts-and-bill-data/),
• Email Updates (https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/ → “Email updates”).

LIC is also a learning center for students, educators, and first-time users. Visit the Classes and Tutorials page for free classes on using the site and understanding how a bill becomes law. The Bills, Meetings, and Session hub links you to public sign-ins for hearings, House and Senate floor activity, and important session dates. For more background, see Studies, Audits, and Reports. For state fiscal information, use the budget portal at fiscal.wa.gov.

Key Links:

• Classes and Tutorials (https://leg.wa.gov/help/classes-and-tutorials/),
• Bills, Meetings, and Session hub (https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/),
• Studies, Audits, and Reports (https://leg.wa.gov/studies-audits-and-reports/),
• State Budgets (https://fiscal.wa.gov)

The LIC website is built to help you follow bills, attend hearings, contact lawmakers, and find trustworthy records in one place. Whether you run a business, teach a class, or simply want information, these tools make civic engagement easier. For complete resources and up-to-date links, visit https://leg.wa.gov/about-the-legislature/legislative-information-center/. 
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Thanks to everyone who joined us at Business After Hours at Goodwill last night! 

​In Washington state, there is growing momentum for a “Workers’ Bill of Rights.” This set of rules and protections aims to provide workers with greater stability, fairness, and rights in their jobs. For business owners, local communities, and everyday citizens, these changes could bring significant shifts in how companies staff and operate, in costs and benefits, and in how local economies function.
 
A Workers’ Bill of Rights (WBR) typically refers to laws or regulations that push employers to provide better wages, schedules, safety measures, and work stability. These laws often extend beyond fundamental legal rights, for example, by requiring advance notice of work schedules, restricting last-minute shift changes, increasing minimum pay for specific roles, or providing enhanced protections for historically marginalized workers. In Washington state, many core workers' rights are already in place, including minimum wage, paid sick leave, meal and rest breaks, and safety standards.
 
Where in Washington are these efforts happening?
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Here are some examples of where the idea is being used or proposed:

• In Seattle, there is the “Domestic Workers Ordinance,” often called a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. It took effect on July 1, 2019, and guarantees that domestic workers—such as nannies, housekeepers, and gardeners—receive a minimum wage, meal and rest breaks, protection of personal documents, and other standards.
• At the state level, a bill for domestic workers was passed by the state Senate in 2025 that would extend rights such as minimum wage, overtime pay, meal and rest breaks, and anti-discrimination protections to domestic workers who were previously excluded.
• In the city of Olympia, a citizens’ initiative is underway to establish a Workers’ Bill of Rights that would include wage floors, predictable scheduling (e.g., posting schedules in advance), and other workplace protections.
• There are signs of similar proposals in the areas near Tacoma and Thurston County, where community and labor groups are planning to push for a higher minimum wage and additional protections.

What the Workers’ Bill of Rights means for a business owner

From the viewpoint of a small‑ or medium-sized business owner in Washington, a WBR can affect staffing, operations, and finances in several ways:
Staffing

• You may need to increase wages for certain roles or pay higher rates for specific categories of workers. For example, Seattle’s domestic workers’ law sets a minimum wage for those employees.
•  Scheduling rules (if any are included) might require you to post work schedules a certain number of days in advance, offer extra pay for last-minute changes, or restrict “clopening” shifts (working a closing shift followed by an opening shift with little rest in between). The Olympia proposal outlines these protections.
• You could be required to offer extra hours to part-time workers before hiring new employees or ensuring more predictable schedules. This may increase your administrative workload and planning requirements.

Operations

•  You’ll need to review your employment contracts, payroll systems, scheduling software, and tracking of breaks, rest periods, and overtime. If a law requires additional transparency or documentation, such as a written agreement for domestic workers in the state bill, ensure compliance.
• You may face increased compliance checks or risk penalties if you fail to implement the rules correctly. For example, the state bill includes civil penalties for non-compliance.
• Your business might need to adjust staffing levels to manage higher wages or scheduling costs or to meet safety or shift-notice requirements. This could involve shifting from variable staffing to more fixed staffing or changing shift lengths or times.

Finances

•  Higher wages, extra pay for scheduling changes, and premium pay for hours or shifts can raise your labor costs. For businesses with tight margins (especially in retail, food service, and hospitality), this can have a significant impact.
• On the other hand, improved staffing stability and predictability may reduce turnover, training costs, and absenteeism, potentially leading to cost savings over time.
• You might need to invest in systems (software, scheduling, HR compliance) or staff training to implement the new rules. That involves an upfront expense.
• Some businesses may respond by raising prices, cutting hours of operation, or reducing other benefits to offset higher labor costs. These actions can have ripple effects in the community.

Positive effects

• Workers receive more dependable schedules, higher wages, and fairer treatment. This leads to greater stability for families, reduced stress from unpredictable hours, and increased income. As a result, communities are strengthened.
• When workers have more consistent incomes and hours, they can spend more locally, which benefits other businesses in the area.
• Policies that lower turnover and enhance worker wellbeing may also improve service quality and foster better relations between businesses and the community (happy workers often deliver better customer experiences, helping communities feel more positive about local businesses).
• Communities may experience fewer disruptions when workers are treated well, such as fewer labor disputes and emergency interruptions.

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Negative effects

• Small businesses might struggle with higher labor costs or scheduling issues. They could cut back on hiring, reduce hours, pass on expenses to customers, or even shut down if profit margins are very slim. This could negatively impact local employment.
• If businesses raise prices or cut services to manage expenses, community members, predominantly low-income customers, may feel the burden.
• Some businesses may lessen staff flexibility, hire fewer part-time workers, or turn to automation to avoid high labor costs, reducing opportunities for workers who prefer part-time or flexible schedules.
• If businesses relocate or slow expansion due to increased operating costs, communities could experience a loss of economic growth and jobs.

In Washington state, the Workers’ Bill of Rights movement reflects a push to strengthen worker protections and promote greater economic fairness. At the state level, proposed protections for domestic workers suggest that some exclusions, such as those for domestic workers, are being eliminated. This expands the scope of labor law coverage and advocates for a more inclusive labor system policy.

From a regulatory perspective, companies operating in multiple jurisdictions may face diverse local regulations, as cities or counties may adopt WBRs, requiring firms to stay current with local legal changes. To ensure consistency across the state, the legislature may enact more standardized laws in response to regional variations and experiments, so businesses need to stay current. Economically, the state might experience higher labor costs for some sectors but potentially stronger consumer spending if workers’ incomes increase. The balance between cost pressures and growth opportunities is something legislators, business associations, and community leaders must monitor.
 
 
The growing adoption of Workers’ Bill of Rights policies in Washington state signals a significant shift in the interactions among employers, employees, and communities. For business owners, this presents both opportunities and challenges: they may experience more stable staffing and higher employee satisfaction, but also face increased labor costs, compliance obligations, and possible operational adjustments. For local communities and residents, advantages include fairer treatment of workers, greater stability, and the potential for stronger local economies. However, there are risks of higher prices, service changes, and job losses if businesses struggle to adapt.
 
If you are a business owner in Washington, it’s smart to track proposed WBR laws in your city or county, review your staffing, scheduling, and payroll practices, and think about how you might adjust operations or prices in response. If you are a community leader or resident, it’s helpful to join the discussion on how these rights balance fairness for workers with sustainable business practices and local economic health.
 
In short, a Workers’ Bill of Rights is more than just a list of protections: it is about shaping the future of work in your local community, and your business plays a key role in that future.